Port Elgin and Southampton are the two main communities of the Town of Saugeen Shores, linked by the North Shore Trail. The Town describes 18 kilometres of sandy shoreline, a harbour at Port Elgin, over 40 km of trails and two municipal tourist camps. This guide covers what the Town and Grey Bruce Public Health publish.
Facts box
| Municipality | Town of Saugeen Shores |
| Shoreline | 18 km of sandy beach |
| Main beaches | Port Elgin Main Beach, Southampton Beach, Eidt’s Grove |
| Harbour | Port Elgin Harbour, 132 Elgin St, 268 slips |
| Trails | Over 40 km of trails |
| Town phone | 519-832-2008 |
Quick answer
Port Elgin Main Beach is the lively one, with a promenade and beach volleyball. Southampton Beach runs along a boardwalk. Eidt’s Grove is the town’s pick for a quiet read. Dogs are not allowed on the beaches from May to October except in designated dog-friendly areas, and there are no open fires or barbecues on the sand.
The beaches
The town lists three beaches by name on its waterfront page: Port Elgin Main Beach, Southampton Beach along the boardwalk, and Eidt’s Grove. Its Parks by-law sets the beach rules, and the town publishes them in plain language.
- No barbecues, open fires or fireworks on the beach. Public barbecues are in the park area east of the Port Elgin harbour.
- Enclosed tents are not permitted. Small sun shelters and umbrellas are allowed up to 2 metres by 2 metres.
- No motorized or electric vehicles on the beach.
- No open alcohol. Keep music low.
- Stay off the beach grass and dunes. Use the boardwalks and access points.
- Do not feed the wildlife.
- No motorized watercraft in swim areas marked by buoys, and boats may not moor on or pick up passengers from shore.
- Walk your wheels on the Port Elgin beach promenade and the Southampton beach boardwalk.
Bring a plan for garbage. The town asks you to use the cans provided and to take your garbage with you if they are full.
Checking the water
Grey Bruce Public Health samples water at select public beaches monthly, about June to September, and tests for E. coli. A beach is posted as unsafe when the geometric mean of at least five samples is above 200 E. coli per 100 millilitres. The health unit also says beach water quality can change from one hour to the next, and it posts beach advisories on its Check-It site. It says you should not swim after heavy rain in the past 24 to 48 hours, if the water is too cloudy to see your feet at waist depth, or if you see algae, scum or dead fish. Check the health unit’s page before you go.
The harbour
Port Elgin Harbour sits between the main beach and North Shore Park. The town lists a fish cleaning station, volleyball courts, a splash pad, a picnic shelter, a boat ramp (launch pass required), fuel, a pump-out station and 268 slips. Harbour staff monitor VHF channel 68. The town gives the harbour as 15.2 nautical miles north of Kincardine Harbour and 53.6 nautical miles south of Tobermory. The Town’s 2026 visitor rates list a launch pass at $13.50 a day or $75.00 a season, including HST, and a daily transient slip at $2.52 per foot including hydro, plus HST. The harbour takes vessels up to 150 feet long with a 10 foot draft, and the office phone is 519-832-2008 ext. 155.
Trails and parks
The town counts over 40 km of trails, 27 parks and 27 playgrounds. It names the North Shore Trail from Port Elgin to Southampton, the Saugeen Rail Trail and the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. Trails are non-motorized, with mobility devices and e-bikes permitted. Keep dogs leashed. The Abby Bolton Memorial Dog Park, at 961 Lehnen Street in Port Elgin, is fully fenced and open daily from dawn to dusk, April 2 to November 30. Horses are allowed only on the Woodland and Biener trails, and the Town recommends a maximum cycling speed of 20 km/h.
Camping nearby
The town runs two seasonal trailer campgrounds, Port Elgin Tourist Camp at 584 Bruce Street and Southampton Tourist Camp at 277 Lake Street, open May 1 to October 31. Both offer full-service sites for overnight, short-term and seasonal stays. Sites have 30 amp electricity and municipal water and sewer connections, and the Town lists accessible washrooms and showers, firewood for sale, a playground, a dump station and laundry at the Port Elgin camp. The camping office is at 519-832-2008 ext. 154.
FAQ
Are dogs allowed on the beaches? Not from May to October, except in designated dog-friendly areas. The trails allow leashed dogs.
Can I have a campfire on the beach? No. The town lists no barbecues, open fires or fireworks on the beach.
Who tests the water? Grey Bruce Public Health, monthly from about June to September at select public beaches.
Can I launch a boat? The harbour has a boat ramp with a valid launch pass.
Cottages on the water
Browse cottages on the Bruce Peninsula and Lake Huron.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check. Rules for the Town of Saugeen Shores are not in our dataset yet, so we state none here.
Claims table
Checked 2026-11-04. Independent fact-check November 4 2026.
| # | Claim | Source URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saugeen Shores has 18 km of sandy shoreline; named beaches are Port Elgin Main Beach, Southampton Beach (boardwalk) and Eidt’s Grove | https://www.saugeenshores.ca/recreation-facilities-and-culture/waterfront-and-beaches/ | 2026-11-04 |
| 2 | Beach rules: no barbecues, open fires or fireworks; no enclosed tents; shelters up to 2 m by 2 m; no motorized or electric vehicles; no open alcohol; stay off dunes; no mooring or passenger pick-up from shore; walk your wheels on promenade and boardwalk | https://www.saugeenshores.ca/recreation-facilities-and-culture/waterfront-and-beaches/ | 2026-11-04 |
| 3 | Dogs not permitted on beaches May to October except designated dog-friendly areas | https://www.saugeenshores.ca/recreation-facilities-and-culture/waterfront-and-beaches/ | 2026-11-04 |
| 4 | Public barbecues are in the park area east of the Port Elgin harbour | https://www.saugeenshores.ca/recreation-facilities-and-culture/waterfront-and-beaches/ | 2026-11-04 |
| 5 | Grey Bruce Public Health tests select beaches monthly, about June to September, for E. coli | https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Your-Environment/Safe-Water/Recreational-Water | 2026-11-04 |
| 6 | A beach is posted above 200 E. coli per 100 mL (geometric mean of at least five samples); health unit advice on rain, cloudy water and algae; quality can change hour to hour; Check-It advisory site | https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Your-Environment/Safe-Water/Recreational-Water | 2026-11-04 |
| 7 | Harbour: 132 Elgin St; fish cleaning station, splash pad, picnic shelter, boat ramp with launch pass, fuel, pump-out; 268 slips; VHF 68; 2026 launch pass $13.50 daily, $75 seasonal incl. HST; daily slip $2.52/ft incl. hydro plus HST; max length 150 ft, draft 10 ft; ext. 155 | https://www.saugeenshores.ca/recreation-facilities-and-culture/harbour/ | 2026-11-04 |
| 8 | Harbour is 15.2 Nm north of Kincardine Harbour and 53.6 Nm south of Tobermory | https://www.saugeenshores.ca/recreation-facilities-and-culture/harbour/ | 2026-11-04 |
| 9 | Over 40 km of trails, 27 parks; North Shore Trail, Saugeen Rail Trail, Great Lakes Waterfront Trail; trails non-motorized, e-bikes permitted | https://www.saugeenshores.ca/recreation-facilities-and-culture/parks-and-trails/ | 2026-11-04 |
| 10 | Abby Bolton Memorial Dog Park is fenced, open dawn to dusk, April 2 to November 30, 961 Lehnen St; horses on Woodland and Biener trails only; 20 km/h recommended | https://www.saugeenshores.ca/recreation-facilities-and-culture/parks-and-trails/ | 2026-11-04 |
| 11 | Two municipal tourist camps (584 Bruce St, 277 Lake St), May 1 to October 31, 30 amp electricity, water and sewer; accessible washrooms and showers, firewood, playground, dump station and laundry at Port Elgin; ext. 154 | https://www.saugeenshores.ca/recreation-facilities-and-culture/camping/ | 2026-11-04 |
| 12 | Town phone 519-832-2008 (harbour and camping extensions listed) | https://www.saugeenshores.ca/recreation-facilities-and-culture/camping/ | 2026-11-04 |
Photo: Brock Koch Nichol, on Unsplash (Unsplash License).